This law encourages nonresidents who once lived in Montana to "come home to hunt" with parents, siblings, and other close family members. The program is aimed at continuing Montana family traditions by making an effort to bring sons, daughters, and family back home during hunting season at a substantially reduced price. The sponsoring adult family member must claim Montana as his or her legal residence and must have a valid Montana hunting license. The sponsor can be a parent, step-parent, grandparent, sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, spouse, or in-law. The applicant must have completed a Montana Hunter Education course and have previously purchased a Montana resident hunting license.
Qualifying nonresidents 18 years of age or older need to apply for either a Deer, Elk or Big Game Combination License starting March 1, and the deadline is April 1. Come Home to Hunt Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Nonresidents who are awarded a Come Home to Hunt license must hunt with a properly licensed adult family member.
Proceeds from the sale of Come Home to Hunt licenses are used by FWP to acquire public hunting access to inaccessible public land.
Fees & Quotas:
Big Game Combo (Deer & Elk): $656
Quota: 500
Elk Combo: $556
Quota: 500
Deer Combo: $380
Quota: 500
If you were born in Montana but now live out-of-state, had purchased hunting or fishing licenses as a resident, and have an immediate family member who is currently a resident, you may qualify for these Nonresident Native Hunting Licenses at reduced prices. These Combination Licenses include a Base Hunting License, Conservation License, Aquatic Invasive Species, Fishing License, General Deer and/or Elk License, hunting of upland game bird, excluding turkey.
Applications open online March 1, 2026, at 5:00 am MST.
2025 Nonresident Native Required Additional Information (PDF)
Required additional information that must be submitted to complete your license.
Fees & Quotas:
Big Game Combo (Deer & Elk): $656
Quota: Unlimited
Elk Combo: $556
Quota: Unlimited
Deer Combo: $380
Quota: Unlimited
*If you are applying for a special elk or deer permit in addition to a Combination license, you must complete your Nonresident Native application by April 1 at 11:45 pm MST. We strongly recommend completing your Nonresident Native purchase and submitting your permit application at the same time to avoid processing delays of your Nonresident Native license that could prevent you from meeting your permit application deadline. Applications open online on March 1, 2026, at 5:00 am MST.